SPORTS: 2009 NFL Mock Draft

Andrew Hazard

Now that the key players in this year’s free agency class have been signed, it is time to take a look at the newest installment of Drew-Bob’s mock draft. This is assuming teams do not trade their first round pick. The NFL draft order is based on each team’s win-loss record. The team with the worst record gets the first pick in each round of the seven-round draft, and the team that wins the super bowl gets the last pick of each round of the draft (pending trades). This year the Detroit Lions finished with the worst record in NFL history at 0-16. The 2009 NFL draft will be on April 25 through the 26 in New York City. The Lions are now on the clock?

1. Detroit Lions – Mathew Stafford (QB-Georgia) – The rebuilding process begins with Stafford.

2. ST. Louis Rams – Jason Smith (OT-Baylor) – Quarterback Marc Bulger has been injury-prone that last couple seasons, ST. Louis needs to rebuild the offensive line.

3. Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry (LB-Wake Forest) – The Chiefs need to improve defensively. Curry will make an immediate impact.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Eugene Monroe (OT-Virginia) – Now that the Seattle has improved its receiving corps with the signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, The Seahawks can go in another direction with this pick.

5. Cleveland Browns – B.J. Raji (DT-Boston College) – Raji is moving back up on teams’ big board now that allegations he failed a drug test at the combine may be false.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Everette Brown (DE-Florida State) – Brown would be a BIG upgrade compared to any of the other defensive ends they have in Cincinnati.

7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree (WR-Texas Tech) – Russell to Crabtree could be a fantasy owner’s dream.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremy Macklin (WR-Missouri) – Quarterback David Garrard needs somebody to throw to.

9. Green Bay Packers – Tyson Jackson (DE-LSU) – Jackson and Aaron Kampman would be a dynamic duo.

10. San Francisco 49ers – Aaron Maybin (DE-Penn State) – Maybin wants to prove to the world that he is the best defensive prospect in the draft.

11. Buffalo Bills – Brian Orakpo – (DE-Texas) – Buffalo needs somebody to help take the pressure off Aaron Schobel on the defensive line.

12. Denver Broncos – Mark Sanchez (QB-USC) – The Broncos are now scrambling to find a replacement for Jay Cutler.

13. Washington Redskins – Andre Smith (OT-Alabama) – Although Smith’s character has been questioned he is still a top-10 talent.

14. New Orleans Saints – Chris Wells (RB-Ohio State) – The Saints need someone like Wells to help carry the load with the release of Deuce McAllister.

15. Houston Texans – Vontae Davis (CB-Illinois) – Scouts are hoping Davis is not just a combine-standout like his brother Vernon.

16. San Diego Chargers – Malcolm Jenkins (CB-Ohio State) – Jenkins’ poor performance at the combine has really hurt his draft stock.

17. New York Jets – Josh Freeman (QB-Kansas State) – The New York Jets desperately need a quarterback.

18. Denver Broncos – Michael Oher (OT-Ole Miss) – Denver can fill another hole with this pick now that they have two picks in the first round.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rey Maualuga (LB-USC) – Pewter Power can only hope Maualuga is half the player Derrick Brooks was for them.

20. Detroit Lions – Brian Cushing (LB-USC) – The Lions need to rebuild the defense as well.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshown Moreno (RB-Georgia) – Moreno would be a great addition to Philadelphia’s backfield.

22. Minnesota Vikings – Darius Heyward-Bey (WR-Maryland) – The Vikings know a thing or two about drafting great wide receivers in the first round of the draft.

23. New England Patriots – Jamon Meredith (OT-South Carolina) – Head Coach Bill Belichick must suddenly rebuild an old offensive line.

24. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Pettigrew (TE-Oklahoma State) – Pettigrew is the most intriguing prospect in this year’s draft class.

25. Miami Dolphins – Hakeem Nicks (WR-North Carolina) – The Dolphins need a go-to receiver.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Clay Matthews (LB-USC) – Mathews was quietly the most productive linebacker at Southern Cal.

27. Indianapolis Colts – Peria Jerry (DT-Ole Miss) – The Colts need to get meaner on defense.

28. Philadelphia Eagles – Louis Delmas (S-Western Michigan) – Expect Delmas to become one of the scariest safeties in the NFL early in the season.

29. New York Giants – Percy Harvin (WR-Florida) – Harvin will help ease the pain of losing wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.

30. Tennessee Titans – James Laurinaitis (LB-Ohio State) – Teams who pass on Laurinaitis in the Draft will be kicking themselves once the season is underway.

31. Arizona Cardinals – Eben Britton (OT-Arizona) – Arizona must be able to protect Kurt Warner if they are going to repeat as NFC champions.

32 Pittsburgh Steelers – Robert Ayers (DE-Tennessee) – A great week of practice at the Senior Bowl has put Ayers on the map.

Andrew Hazard can be reached at [email protected]